Article: Todd Rundgren plays Count Basie Theatre on Monday

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Written by
ED CONDRAN
CORRESPONDENT asbury press

It's generally not the norm to be on good terms with long-time ex-girlfriends — unless you're Todd Rundgren.

"I have all the respect for Todd in the world," singer-songwriter-model Bebe Beull said about her former live-in beau. "He's a great guy and a wonderful musician."
Rundgren, 62, should be accustomed to the praise by now. During his salad days of the early '70s, ardent fans, especially those who packed the Tower Theater in his native Upper Darby, PA., displayed "Todd Is God" signs.
"Those were some amazing times, but so much has happened since then," Rundgren said.
Rundgren has morphed considerably since his first hit, the mellow "Hello It's Me," charted in 1968.
"That is like a lifetime ago," Rundgren said. "I've done so much since then."
Indeed, Rundgren has appeared on more than 40 albums, recording either under his own name or along with a band. He's been in groups from the Nazz to the Cars, and has produced such venerable recording artists as the New York Dolls, the Psychedelic Furs and Patti Smith.
"I've been around a lot of musicians, and there is no one else like Todd," Smith said. "He's an original."
Unique artists don't often break the Top 20. Rundgren has only breathed pop's rarified air twice, with "Hello It's Me" and "I Saw The Light."
"Having hits isn't everything," Rundgren explained. ""There's more to music than that."
What's made Rundgren so special is that he has always been an innovative artist, one willing to shed his sonic skin every few years. Yes, he wrote and recorded the ubiquitous classic rock track "Bang on the Drum All Day," but his quirkier material is his calling card. The rock n' roll maverick also broke serious ground in electronic music. Little wonder Rundgren became a cult favorite.
Despite his versatility, Rundgren has been remarkably consistent over his 40 plus-year career, from his Nazz days through his latest studio album, 2008's "Arena."
The aptly titled disc picks up where Rundgren left off over a quarter century ago. This time he decided once again to play big rock guitar.
"I wanted to do an arena-rock style rock record," said Rundgren, who will perform Monday at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank. "I had a lot of fun making the album."
You never know what Rundgren is going to do. Just when you thought he would never make another rock-guitar album, it drops.
"Being predictable is never fun," Rundgren said. "Taking chances isn't easy, but it's more satisfying."